A Man's Fate

The year was 490 B.C. (In normal date standards.) We have shored on Greek territory, I looked up and covered my sight with my hand from the blazing sun, and all I could hear were seagulls shrieking in the distance, while the other's were grunting to move the shipment on shore.

I am one of the many soldiers that have been in listed to fight in our war for territory against the scum of the earth known as the Greeks, "Jahangir!" called Dartis with a fierce voice, "Help with the horses!" he pointed to the direction in which some soldiers were having problems getting the horses tied down.

I looked up at him, his face showed that he has been in many battles and age was finally catching up with him, his armor was reflecting the sun towards my face making me squint my eyes in his direction, "What are you looking at boy? Get over there now!" he spat while the grip on the whip he held tightened, I ran toward the horses, I saw that one of the horses had a saddle on it's back so I awaited for one of the soldiers to keep it distracted, when I found my chance I gripped the saddle and mounted the fierce horse and that's when it began it's galloping madness to try to get me off, but I pulled the grip from his mouth in my direction and this routine kept going for a couple of minutes, even got a small crowd of soldiers laughing and cheering but the beast eventually got tired and stopped it's galloping then I made it walk towards one of the poles, signalling one of the soldiers to tie it down while I'm still on it.

I saw the other horse a couple feet away from my own so I whistled and it galloped slowly towards me, I reached over and grabbed the leather grip while still riding the steed from before then when the soldiers tied the horses against the pole, I finally dismounted the steed and looked around and saw Dartis drinking some wine.

He stared in my direction then raised a cup at me, signifying to sit and have a drink with him. I walked towards him and in the distance, I saw grey clouds with streaks of lightning, I sat next to the General and he had a light red on his cheeks signifying he was beginning to get drunk, "Okay boy." he said with a slightly heavy tounge, "I'm gonna tell you the story on how I got this!" He lifted up his heavy armor a bit showing multiple scars but, he only pointed to one of them.
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After many stories of the many victories and losses of the great Dartis he eventually passed out cause of to much wine. Hours had gone by and the sky was beginning to darken, I felt a light drizzle on my skin and when I looked up I saw the grey clouds from earlier were upon us.

I stood up straight and stretched out, making my chain mail armor jingle a bit, then in the distance I saw the other general, "He must be telling tales of the past like Dartis." I thought to myself. I then hear the soldiers around him chanting his name, "Artaphernes! Artaphernes!" I slightly chuckled then looked out at the sea and saw all of our beautiful Persian Ships swaying on the water, with small lanterns turned on showing the patrolling soldiers that stayed aboard.

I breath in deeply the salty air then I look down at the snoring Dartis, I look at his wine and when I'm about to pick it up I begin to see small ripples from the center, I rub my eyes to see if they are deceiving me but, no.

I see the ripples getting bigger and in the distance I see the slightest movement in the shadows, I then feel the ground rumble a bit. I see in the distance little red dots and the dots go incredibly high at an incredible speed and that is when I realize, "We're being attacked!" I quickly grab a shield and cover myself, the other soldiers look at me with confusement, "Look up!" Luckily Artaphernes believed me without looking up and covered himself with his shield, some other soldiers did the same.

Most of our soldiers died with the barrages of arrows but those under cover were either unscathed or minorly injured. I covered myself successfully but a shield is only so big so I couldn't protect Dartis that was now covered with arrows, after the barrage of arrows was over, I awaited a couple of seconds and looked at the sky and saw nothing, just some seagulls looking for a night snack and the grey clouds, the rain began to pour down harder, I picked up a sword and shouted, "To arms Persians! Get ready!" As I said this the remaining few stood up and got what they needed as quickly as possible.